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PDI-P, Golkar seal partnership

Jakarta Post - March 17, 2015

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Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – The ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Golkar Party have agreed to team up in the legislative institution in order to smooth the way for President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's policies.

The chairpersons of both parties formally discussed the future partnership when Agung Laksono, who recently secured government recognition as Golkar's legitimate chairman, met with PDI-P's Megawati Soekarnoputri at the latter's residence on Jl. Teuku Umar, Central Jakarta, on Monday.

"This silaturahmi [friendly visit] is part of ongoing visits to introduce [Golkar's] legitimate leadership with a hope that the PDI-P and Golkar can team up in the legislative institution as well as for other aspects," Agung told the media after a more than one-hour closed-door talk with Megawati.

Accompanied by an entourage, comprising executives of his camp such as deputy chairmen Priyo Budi Santosa, Yorrys Raweyai and Agus Gumiwang, Agung said further that the partnership could achieve a lot at the House of Representatives, including regarding the deliberations of bills. Megawati, however, did not comment on the meeting.

With colleagues accompanying her in hosting the guests, including party executives Pramono Anung Wibowo, Hasto Kristiyanto and Bambang Wuryanto, the former president stopped short after Agung's remarks and quickly went back inside her house after shaking hands with Agung for a photo shoot.

After the media briefing, Pramono, in responding to reporters' queries, elaborated that the collaboration between the PDI-P and Golkar at the House would include, among other things, the selection of definitive commissioners for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the deliberation of the national security bill, which has been stalled for years due its contentious content.

"We have an agreement to work together to complete unresolved legislative affairs in upcoming House sessions," said Pramono, a lawmaker on House Commission I overseeing defense, foreign affairs and information.

Although the PDI-P and Golkar have agreed to back up each other, Golkar, however, has yet to join the ruling PDI-P-led Great Indonesia Coalition.

In his remarks, Agung repeatedly stressed Golkar's support for Jokowi's administration, but left any talk of Golkar possibly joining the ruling coalition out of the discussion.

He did the same during previous visits to leaders of other parties within the Great Indonesia Coalition as well as to the National Mandate Party (PAN), an existing official member of the opposition Red-and-White Coalition.

Agung will bring in an additional 91 House seats to the coalition's existing 204 seats if he joins it, taking control of the House away from the Red-and-White Coalition.

Agung and his loyalists, however, first must face Aburizal Bakrie and his camp, who declined to concede defeat to Agung in the Golkar leadership battle and has proceeded with moves to challenge Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna H. Laoly's decision to recognize Agung's leadership.

While Agung and his camp approach the ruling coalition, his rivals from Aburizal's camp are preparing for an inquiry to investigate Yasonna with the support of members of the opposition coalition. Lawmakers from the opposition coalition plan to exercise their right of inquiry as soon as the House reconvenes on March 23.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/03/17/pdi-p-golkar-seal-partnership.html.